brooke4131's review
3.0
Strangled Prose started off with a bang, drawing me into the story and the life of Claire Malloy. I've always enjoyed mysteries that center around academia and this seemed so promising, but the book quickly spiraled downwards. Although the plot of a murdered romance writer was interesting, I really struggled to connect with a lot of the characters who had started out strong. Claire's interest in the murder seemed lackluster as did her interactions with other characters. Too bad this wasn't a better read.
verityw's review
3.0
Oh! Oh! This is fun. Don’t love the way it treated romance novels - because I do love them and I hate the snark they get - but liked the bookshop setting, the lead character and the mystery so I’ll try the second one and see.
emerion's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
dontmissythesereads's review
3.0
Book #85 read in 2006
While I enjoyed the mystery in this novel, I was a little put-off by the main character. She came across as cold and unlikable to the reader. However, every man in the book hit on her. I couldn't understand why she was so popular. I liked the plot enough to give the series another chance, and hopefully Claire will grow on me.
While I enjoyed the mystery in this novel, I was a little put-off by the main character. She came across as cold and unlikable to the reader. However, every man in the book hit on her. I couldn't understand why she was so popular. I liked the plot enough to give the series another chance, and hopefully Claire will grow on me.
cbizcut34's review
4.0
A little slow to start, but a solid whodunit by the end. Quirky, entertaining writing.
cherylanntownsend's review
3.0
Operating a small bookstore in a renovated train depot, Claire Malloy, a 38-year-old widow of a college English professor, supports herself and her teenage daughter. The Book Depot is a small literary cache, adjacent to Faber college, where Claire’s husband worked until his fatal car crash punctuated his life.
When a Harlequin writer, who also happens to be a friend, requests a book release & signing party at Claire’s shop, the train of tragedy is set in motion and steam rolls through the tiny burg, throwing its passengers out with total disregard and vengeance.
The novel is “fictionally” set at the nearby college and uses the nearer by professors as its characters, loosely (in more ways than one.) Barely hidden character names are exposed for their past indiscretions and when the faculty is gathered for the book release, the revelation is made and that train picks up speed.
The whodunnit does leave one guessing almost to the end, the budding romance of animosity tends to be mostly believable, but the perpetual snark of Claire and her protege daughter get to be a tad overwrote.
But hey, it’s set in a bookstore, so the series I shall read.
When a Harlequin writer, who also happens to be a friend, requests a book release & signing party at Claire’s shop, the train of tragedy is set in motion and steam rolls through the tiny burg, throwing its passengers out with total disregard and vengeance.
The novel is “fictionally” set at the nearby college and uses the nearer by professors as its characters, loosely (in more ways than one.) Barely hidden character names are exposed for their past indiscretions and when the faculty is gathered for the book release, the revelation is made and that train picks up speed.
The whodunnit does leave one guessing almost to the end, the budding romance of animosity tends to be mostly believable, but the perpetual snark of Claire and her protege daughter get to be a tad overwrote.
But hey, it’s set in a bookstore, so the series I shall read.
julieputty's review
The sleuth just didn't work for me at all. That's a dealbreaker for a cozy.
More...